FAKE NEWS NEWSLETTER FOR WEEK ENDING MAY 9TH 2020

As most
people try to adhere to medical guidance to prevent and mitigate the pandemic,
the continued spread of disinformation remains a serious threat.

Authorities
and institutions are not just battling the Coronavirus pandemic but the added
difficulty of disseminating false information which prevents people from taking
the right steps to contain the spread of the virus.

This
past week, we explored the trending narratives that have emerged from disinformation
narratives in Nigeria, and some of the widespread false claims the Centre for
Democracy and Development fact-checked include:

Federal
Government announcing resumption dates for schools?

On
April 7, 2020, CDD spotted reports published by several online platforms
claiming that the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) announced Monday, June 1,
2020, as resumption date for all Universities and Polytechnics in
Nigeria.

Following
the Coronavirus Pandemic, FGN in March 2020, announced the closure of all schools
in the country until further notice.

According
to the claim, the Federal Ministry of Education said, the closure is part of
measures needed to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. These reports were
found to be false.

A
statement by Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba, the Minister of State for Education said:
“The Federal Government is not ready to put children at risk by opening
schools.”

Nwajiuba
further noted that, as announced by the president, sectors of the economy will
be gradually opened after reviews and experts’ advice on the disease outbreak.

“Until
that is done, we cannot foresee or immediately tell you when all the schools
will be reopened,” Nwajiuba
said.

FGN is
yet to set a definite date for the opening of schools across the country.

CDD is
urging parents, schools, and students to disregard the rumour being peddled
online by bloggers and on social media. Read our full report here

Huge
crowd at the funeral for the Emir of Rano?

On
Saturday, May 2, 2020, a viral video showing a throng of people at a funeral,
alleged to be that of the late Emir of Rano, Alhaji Tafida Abubakar II, in
Kano, spread on WhatsApp channels, twitter and Facebook.

In the
video, a large number of people were seen with a caption claiming it was a
procession for the funeral of the Emir of Rano, raising fears over the
disregard for social distancing as advised by health authorities and experts in
the containment of the Coronavirus disease.

Kano
state has unfortunately been the epicentre of false information.

However,
as the number of deaths in the state has risen, there has only been more
confusion with contradictory statements coming from government officials, the
media and social media platforms.

Upon
investigating the origin of the video, CDD fact-checkers found that the
procession was from the funeral of a cleric, Mallam Goni Kolo, who died on the
same day as the Emir of Rano.

However,
while Kolo’s funeral took place in Mafoni ward Maiduguri, Borno State, the Emir
of Rano was buried in Kano.

Trump’s
claims on disinfectant and ultraviolet light

On
April 23, 2020, US President, Donald Trump, in a press briefing at the White
House, made two alarming claims about potential cures to COVID-19.

Trump
in his latest claims alleged the possibility of destroying the virus either
through the ingestion of disinfectants, or the use of ultraviolet light. CDD
fact-checkers investigated both claims and found them to be false.

While
it is well known that disinfectants are designed to be used on hard surfaces,
scientists have advised against its use within the sensitive interiors of the
human body.

Also,
warnings by manufacturers of these products clearly state that ingesting
disinfectant puts one at risk of poisoning and even death.

Besides,
responses from eminent experts around the world have disputed the
claims. For instance, Robert Reich, a professor of Public Policy at the
University of California, Berkeley, said Trump’s briefings on the novel virus
are becoming dangerous.

Also,
in a quick response, Reckitt Benckiser, the makers of Lysol and Dettol,
countered the US President’s claim.

RB, in
a statement, warned that: “Under no circumstance should our disinfectant
products be administered into the human body (through injection, ingestion or
any other route). As with all products, our disinfectant and hygiene products
should only be used as intended and in line with usage guidelines. Please read
the label and safety information”.

Trump’s
second striking claim was about the therapeutic effects of light and heat,
specifically referencing ultraviolet (UV) light in destroying the deadly
virus.

This
was addressed in a statement by the WHO which counters multiple myths and warns
people not to sterilise their hands with UV light since radiation can cause
skin irritation.

Furthermore,
in a conversation with CDD fact-checkers, the head of the Institute of Human
Virology Nigeria (IHVN), Dr Patrick Dakum, explained that in fact, the virus
that causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is stable for several hours
in aerosols and on surfaces and that “there is no evidence that sunlight
kills the new coronavirus”.

He
explained further that, UV radiation is present in sunlight and constitutes
about 10% of the total electromagnetic radiation output from the Sun, which
means that staying in the sun cannot destroy the virus.

It is
clear that health messaging from Donald Trump will need to be approached more
critically, and that listeners should be aware of the guidance of experts and
follow expert advice.

The CDD
urges the general public never to ingest disinfectant or expose themselves to
UV-light in a bid to destroy the virus.

Kano
Correctional Service Ready to Release Inmates?

On
Saturday, May 2, 2020, CDD fact-checkers spotted a WhatsApp broadcast claiming
that inmates who have served for more than three years without trial would be
released by the Kano State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

The
broadcast written in Hausa urged relatives to send details of inmates including
case and court numbers to a number for further action based on “the
directive issued by the President.”

The
message read: “Anybody that has a relative in any of the correctional
centres in any of the prisons and the person has stayed for more than three
years without trial, just send the case number and court number of the person
so we can get them out as directed by the President. Send the details to this
number 08067139558.”

CDD
fact-checkers contacted the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian
Correctional Service Kano state command, DSC Musbahu Lawan Kofar, who debunked
the claim.

Kofar
said: “As the public relations officer of the service in Kano I have been the
one conveying information of the service and engaging with the public, and I
have not given any announcement of that nature.”

He also
warned that that the announcement never originated from the service.